Adams takes a chance in ‘Fighter’

Actress is no princess in Russell's boxing pic

Those aren’t the first words that usually come to mind when one thinks of Amy Adams. Unless, apparently, you’re director David O. Russell, who offered the actress — known for playing wide-eyed characters, including an enchanted princess and a nun — the opportunity to play against type in the fact-based “The Fighter,” about underdog boxing champ Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg.

Adams’ pivotal role: Charlene Fleming, the working-class Boston barmaid who nurses Ward’s heart even as his body takes a beating in the ring. “There is a tougher side to me,” says Adams, “and I was grateful that David saw that.”

Russell’s only real concern was whether Adams could believably throw a punch — a necessity for a scene where Charlene fearlessly brawls with Micky’s disapproving sisters. So she logged some hours at “the Wahlberg Ring,” aka the boxing gym her co-star set up at his house for the express purpose of training for the film.

“I had so much fun and learned a lot,” says Adams, “but it wasn’t my first punch. I grew up with brothers.”

Outside of those few lessons, though, Adams laid off the workouts, per Russell’s instructions that she “look like a girl who drinks beer.” Still, she admits to being taken aback by her curvier-than-usual appearance the first time she watched the film. Seeing herself onscreen clad only in a black bra and panties, “I was like, ‘Wow, I wish I had gone ahead and worked out,” she says with a laugh.

The most vital part of Adams’ preparation, however, was meeting with a reluctant Charlene.

“She doesn’t like to be the center of attention,” says Adams. “She didn’t even want to be interviewed. Micky’s the star. Charlene is a pillar. I really got that when I spent time with her, and I wanted to get that across.”